The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde

The Princess in Black #3

by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)

It’s a case of monstrous cuteness as the Princess in Black encounters her biggest challenge a field overrun by adorable bunnies.

Princess Magnolia and her unicorn, Frimplepants, are on their way to have brunch with Princess Sneezewort, an occasion Frimplepants enjoys more than anything in the world. But just when he can smell the freshly baked bread and the heaping platters of sugar-dusted doughnuts, Princess Magnolia’s glitter-stone ring rings. The monster alarm! After a quick change in the secret cave, Princess Magnolia and Frimplepants are transformed into the Princess in Black and her faithful pony, Blacky. But when they get to the goat pasture, all they can see is a field full of darling little bunnies nibbling on grass, twitching their velvet noses, and wiggling their fluffy tails. Where are the monsters? Are these bunnies as innocent as they appear?

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction, Humor, Adventure, Middle Grade

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2016

About the author

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Killer bunnies on the prowl! Haha. I'm just joking. They're not killer bunnies, but they do eat everything in sight which is quite alarming. Another solid installment in the series.

[Wayong Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of the three books in the Princess in Black series, the Hungry Bunny Horde is by far my favourite illustrated novels.

The first Princess in Black book introduces an atypical princess who fancies herself a hero, not unlike a combination of Don Quixote, a ninja and Zorro. The closest fictional character I would compare her to is the great Dread Pirate Roberts (aka Wesley) in The Princess Bride... In fact, after reading this latest instalment, I can see direct influences of the classic fantasy novel/film as well as Monty Python humour & adventures in Hale's series.

When I read the 2nd in the series, I wondered if the conceit of an atypical princess & her adventures would sustain my interest (as well as other adult child readers). The 2nd book wasn't as quirky & idiosyncratic as the 1st. However, I needn't worry about the direction of the Princess' character development & adventures. In this book, The Hungry Bunny Horde is irreverent, dryly funny, and the illustrations compliment the text perfectly. The Princess in Black's reaction to those adorable bunnies is priceless in contrast to the sheep herder's distress.

Shannon Hale's series doesn't require you to read the books in any particular order, so you can jump right into this book.

Recommended for read-alouds, emerging readers of chapter books & for future fans of The Princess Bride, Jeff Smith's Bone graphic novel & Monty Python. Pair this up with the (illustrated version) of George Saunders' The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are just cute little bunnies, surely they can't be monsters....right?

Funny and cute!

I haven't mentioned before, but the illustrations in this series are so well done! Bright, colorful and perfectly suited to the story.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am definitely liking the Princess in Black series by Shannon and Dean Hale. I like the third title in the series, The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde, even better than the second perhaps. (Though I did like meeting Princess Sneezewort in the second book. I wouldn't mind if she became a series regular!)

The book opens with Princess Magnolia and Frimplepants on their way to have brunch with Princess Sneezewort and her pet, Sir Hogswell. Frimplepants may be even more excited about brunch than Princess Magnolia. But, predictably, the two don't make it in time for brunch. Instead, the monster alarm goes off, and the two dash to the secret cave to emerge The Princess in Black and Blacky. The two arrive thinking to find MONSTERS. But all the Princess can see before her eyes are CUTE, ADORABLE, SWEET, LOVABLE BUNNIES. But Duff the Goat Boy insists that the bunnies ARE monsters. She's not convinced.

Who is right? The Princess in Black or Duff the Goat Boy?! Are the bunnies all they appear to be?! Or could the bunnies prove disastrous?!

I enjoyed this one very much. It definitely reminded me of "The Trouble with Tribbles."

[Lisa Guzman]

Mo-I liked it. It wasn't even a very long chapter book. We should read the other books.

Mara-I like that princess. Can I read this book in my bed?

Me- Great intro to chapter books for both my girls. There are lots of pictures and the words aren't too hard. Next time I think I will have Mo read some of the chapters to us.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware of cute little bunnies :) What a fun story!

[Eric Mesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read the first two books with your kids and then were about to give up, do not do so! When I read the second book, about Princess Magnolia's birthday, to my four-year-old twins I was disappointed. Just like the first one, the princess has someone snooping around as she runs off to fight monsters. Also, there was no payoff on the Goat Herd Boy wanting to become a super hero. Sure, this book series is for Kindergarten to Second-Graders, but it was just too repetitive.

But then I read this one and it really redeemed things by changing things up. This time we have bunnies rather than monsters and no one is at risk of discovering Princess Magnolia's alter-ego. It also features more character development for the unicorn/horse - Frimplepants/Blacky. Finally, there are hints that the authors will eventually pay off the Goat Herd plotline.

Does it seems like I'm being overly critical or over-analyzing a book for little kids? It's only because, as someone who's been parenting for 8+ years now, I can easily say that most kids' books SUCK SO HARD. There are a few gems here and there(Leave Me Alone!), especially the classics (like many Dr. Seuss books), but so many of them are so annoying - like watching kids' cartoons. Yeah, I'm not the target audience in either case, but in both cases I end up being exposed to it by virtue of the kids being so young. So when I read the first Princess in Black book and got to experience some jokes that I enjoyed and great artwork, it was like a good Disney or Pixar movie - it appeals to both kids and adults. That left me with high expectations that I felt were dashed with the second book. However, as I said, this third entry really redeemed the series and I can't wait to read the fourth one to the kids - especially since it clearly changes things up with The Princess going on vacation.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Buddy Read with Mara! She loved it; I think we’ll be working our way through the series next.

[Sarah Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of our favorites in the series -- my son & daughter clamber for "the bunnies!!"

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

מי היה מאמין, יצורים סגולים חמודים עלולים להתברר כלא חמודים בעליל! טויסט מעולה :)

[Elevetha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fun, as always.

I really liked the change in how the story was told - it wasn't the same niche of Magnolia having to switch back and forth between herself and her alter ago The Princess in Black every five minutes in order to fight monsters and be at the castle doing princessy things.

The bunnies were adorable (they literally speak the language of Cuteness), but goodness, the poor monsters in Monsterland are still stuck dealing with these ridiculously cute horrors who will eat you out of house and home . Quite frankly, the hungry bunny horde situation was not properly addressed nor actually fixed in any way. Still.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Princess Magnolia, she's never going to get brunch. And no matter how great pizza may be, that brunch sounded fantastic. All because of the bunnies. Soooo many bunnies. But they're cute. And an ecological horror. Fun and a bit of a change-up from the first book (sadly book #2 was the exact same story). I'll be reading them all!

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect series to transition young people out of "easy readers" and into chapter books. The bright illustrations, engaging plot line, large print, and easy vocabulary make this a perfect confidence building read. Plus the stories are a lot of fun! My daughter has read all of the Princess in Black books a number of times, and continues to enjoy re-reading them.

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those ravenous bunnies won't quit multiplying and eating up the whole goat field! It gets pretty dicey there for a minute when the bunnies think the princess is food because she can't talk back to them; but fortunately her horse can speak the language of cuteness and the day is saved! I especially enjoyed the return of Princess Sneezewort. ;)

[Brittany Bee Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jocelyn: "5.5 stars.

I love the pictures and i just loved how cute the bunnies were and how cute they were described and all the good details in the sentences.

I didn't really like that they couldn't understand the bunnies and that there is a language called "Cute" because anyone can be cute."

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is the absolute best. It's so adorable and hilarious and The Princess in Black is a fantastic character. It's a good bridge book for kids who are ready to move out of the easy readers, but aren't quite ready for longer chapter books.

[Franki Sibberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yikes but those Adorable Hungry Bunnies were scary! Loved this one with its distinct touch of Monty Python for the junior set.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hungry bunnies are freaking adorable. I just love them. And I love how determined Frimplepants was to eat. This might be my favorite book in the series yet. Cannot wait for the next one!

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Magnolia has a secret identity as the Princess in Black. At home, she wears frilly pink dresses and glass slippers, but then she changes into her monster-fighting black outfit and charges to the rescue when monsters attack the land. The monsters sneak out of the underground monster land to try to eat the goats, but the Princess in Black has the ninja skills to beat them back!

In this third book of the series, the Princess in Black faces off against a fearsome horde of adorable bunnies who seem harmless at first, but prove to be a dangerous foe who might eat the entire countryside bare! The Princess will have to use all her ingenuity to capture every last bunny and send them back to monster land. She can't exactly karate chop an entire horde of bunnies when they keep bouncing all over everywhere!

This chapter book is so adorable! I love the fairy tale setting and the pretty illustrations. Who says you can't be cute and strong at the same time?
Princess Magnolia is sweet and brave. She's quite resourceful when it comes to balancing her fancy castle life with her monster-fighting responsibilities.

This book is perfect for young readers just starting to read on their own. The chapters are short and the illustrations bring the story to life and bring some comedy into the plot.

This book has been marked as "Nothing Found" on Screen It First, indicating that there is no objectionable content in the book. https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-pr...

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.

[Erica]

Graysen (6): 5/5 stars: I really liked how there was tons of bunnies and then one bunny ate part of a goat's horn, so the goat had half a horn. I like how the bunnies thought the Princess in Black was food. I like how Frimplepants saved the day and then at the very end he got to eat the pizza that he deserved. And I feel sad for when he didn't get the cheesy omelets and the sugar doughnuts and all that num num stuff!

Lizzy (5): 5/5 stars: I liked when the bunnies ate part of the Princess in Black's shoe. I liked when all the bunnies said stuff and they said "Do you have broken off fingernails?" and "Do you have monster fur?" And I liked that at the very very very end that they walked across the people and how Princess Sneezewort didn't have the pig with her or Frimplepants or Princess Magnolia.

Asher (3): 3/5 stars: That the bunnies said "Are you food??"

Erica: 5/5 stars: These books are seriously my favorite and my kids' favorite. We laugh a ton while we read them and they're a good level for all the kids, in between picture books and chapter books.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Princess in Black and Blacky the Pony are back to save the day against... bunnies? The Princess may not be able to handle this level of cuteness, but hopefully Blacky can save the day from omnivorous bunnies!

My sympathy is all with Blacky, missing a tasty brunch is very sad! Otherwise, a bit reminiscent of Monty Python and the Holy Grail... and the Princess needs to learn not to judge a book by it's cover (or a critter by their cuteness).

No content issues.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am an adult. My third grade female students love this book and the series. I use it in guided reading and often we start at the table , do a small lesson, then I send them to finish the chapter. They beg to read ahead and I told them it is great to pre-read. They are so thrilled.

This is a brief story of a princess who morphs into a caped crusader to keep the monsters in Monster Land. In this case the monsters are the bunnies from Monster Land who eat everything and possibly everyone.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

6-year-old daughter says:
It was really good. And they got to to fight lots of monsters in one long battle. I like one battle.

4-year-old son says:
3 stars. I didn't like it that much because the bunnies were purple.

Mom says:
I didn't like this one as much as other Princess in Black, but that doesn't mean anything except that I just loved it instead of LOVED it. These are such fun read-alouds.

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughter's review: Those bunnies are bad boys and girls. They're trying to bite her! They need to go in time out.

This was an adorable volume. Probably my favorite so far. You have the monsters being these cute bunnies but they just wanna eat everything. And Blacky to the rescue! Overall a very cute volume.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books were a relief during the strongest days of my older daughter's princess phase. We've read them all but revisit them often, as both my daughters now love Princess Magnolia and her monster-fighting alter ego.

[j e n n i f e r ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remi’s review (she’s 5)

I didn’t like this one as much as the others. Annnnnnd (very dramatically) they talked about NASTY toenail clippings again. Why do those monsters eat them? Nasty. I think it’s funny how Blacky got them back in the hole! But he got lunch so that’s cool!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was cutter than the last. Good unique "don't judge a book by its cover" message.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder if Shannon Hale is a Buffy fan. I certainly thought fondly of Anya when imagining ominous bunnies.

[H.L. Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another bedtime read with a lot of good chuckles. My (almost) 7-year-old has started reading along and correcting me when I switch words around or something, so she's paying attention.